Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-22
"Tekel. Upharsin."
IN. Y. Tribune |

Logically, the long struggle between the
democratic and republican party has been ter
minated forever by the democratic victory OF
1854 the trial of that party in power and its
complete failure t. meet the expectations
which caused it' success Not many men,
even of the most earnest republicans, reaize
how true this is or now important. Practical
results are not always strict logical. But
there is reason for anticipating that the dem
ocrstc party will be defeated in 1888. will
pass forever from history, and then men will
wonder that precisely this result of its trial in
power was not by all expected.
Between great parties the issue is usually
twofold concerning principles and purposes,
and concerning the men who lead or repre-
sent parties. The issue of principles has
ceased TO exist, because the democratic party
has now proved that it has no principles. As
a party, it cannot be said to be in favor of
anything except the possession of the offices
Four fifths of its members want tree trade.
The rest who do not have made it impossible
for the party to do anything; entrusted with
power, it is afflicted with absolut PARALYSIS
as to revenue legislation. That involves fatal
incapacItv, because some reduction of reve-
que is necessary. and party which cannot
pass any revenue mvasure whatever cannot
possibly govern the country. majority of
the democrats have sympathy with the aims
of the state Rights rebellion. But there are
enough Union veterans in its ranks to make
definite action by that party in the line of
State Rights theories impossible. Most of Its
members want 10 cripple and starve the Fed
era Government, 10 cut down its revenues
and curtail its functions, because they do not
trust the people in their corporate capa' ity
But those who want appropriat, ons and jobs
| rf,,l thatt ha
is utterly parayzed for that purpose also. Ii
is \ party without purpose or principle.
So the issue is narrowed: has the party
worthy leaders and representatives; is 1t, in
the selection # men. the better party OF the
two? Nothing but trial could determine.
The people chose II give it trial, and the
result is here. Men who are hopelessly
ignorant or wifully blind do not see it. But
! elections are de cided by men who see ami
think snd are not the slaves of prejudice.
1t was charged that the republicans placed
and kept some unworthy men In office.
Every political organization makes that mis-
take in some cases, and the people chose to
see whether the democratic party would do
better 1t selected for President man said
t. be "better than his party" but Mr. Cleve-
land surrender his independence ID keep
his supporters. He was said to be sincere
and honest: he proves 10 De mau OF cheap
veneering, full OF the shallow hypocrisies
which are most odious to Americans, and
unable t. resist the worst tendencies of his
party. At the head of departments the party
places Mr. Bayard. whose melancholy in
capacity and British leanings make him often
slve: Mir Fairchild. a man found incom-
tent in New York for q less responsible
office; Mr.. Villas, who has sadly lowered
the efficiency of the postal service; Mr..
Garland, jobber more shameless than any
Their party ever kept in office; Mr.. Whitney,
the SLAYER of the foremost American ship
| builder; Mr.. Endicott, the cipher; and
MIR. Lamar whose department has become
notorious for acknowledgement, For the
Supreme Court this party selects repudistor
| to decide upon the validity OF repudiatny
| acts. and q close friend of Jobbers
t. decide upon telephone cases--for the ap.
,iutment of Mr.. Lamar to the vaea't JUS
ticeship seems to be certain. For IN most
| important offices at New York, it selects the